Top Ten Pictures of 2013 #1 – June 26, 2013

Top Ten Pictures of 2013
#1 – June 26, 2013

At the center of this circle of attention is a tiny woman who changed the world.  You can’t see more than the crown of her head but that’s appropriate because she is the Queen.  It was an honor I will forever cherish to be a nano-speck part of the fight that she led. I will never forget the tears of joy that flowed when Edie Windsor won her victory and made people believe in the impossible. By stepping into the spotlight, and leading the fight, she honored the love she had with Thea and every relationship ever hidden by fear or not acknowledged by the system. She opened the hearts and minds of a country and a judiciary, and it was a great privilege to have been there when life and love changed instantly for the better.  Freedom to be who you are is the greatest gift society can give you.  Only with that freedom can anyone begin to truly contribute to the world. June 26 was the day I took this picture and the day DOMA died June 26, 2013 my number one photo.

Top Ten Pictures of 2013 #2 – Walking Home

Top Ten Pictures of 2013

#2 – Walking Home

The trees – they got me.  The streetlights – they got me.  The shadows, the romance, this picture should be a song. Every day is not picturesque, that’s for certain, but when you turn a corner at the end of a terrible day and get a streetscape so Norman Rockwell inspired you look around for the lighting crew and actor trailers you can’t help but wonder if there isn’t something looking out for you.  I so appreciated this moment – it was at the end of a REALLY bad day, but who can cry about stupid stuff when someone is set designing your life to perfection.  Top Ten Picture Number Two is dedicated to everyone who walks home alone after a really bad day and needs something to remind him or her that life is beautiful.

Top Ten Pictures of 2013 #3 – Color Decadence

Top Ten Pictures of 2013

#3 – Color Decadence

Color color color!  I love my chic black, what real New Yorker doesn’t but when color hits – really hits – it is devastating in delicious decadence.  This image is about gold and blue and red and brown and green and COLOR! Don’t be afraid to bring it!  Don’t be afraid to wear it, own it, and flaunt it.  I have a purple couch.  I have eight red dresses; I have a blue purse the color of sapphires. I want/need/require more color and this picture reminds me of that.  It is a field, but it is also a palette to be inspired by.  In 2014 drop the drab people and lets pledge to bring out the color!

Top 10 Pictures of 2013 #4 –Turkey Paparazzi

Top 10 Pictures of 2013

#4 –Turkey Paparazzi

It is commercial, it is very commercial, it is a parade of capitalism that has evolved, year-by-year, into an even bigger parade of capitalism and you know what – I DON’T CARE! I LOVE IT!  The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is pure joy for me.  I love dressing properly for the weather and watching all the others who didn’t freeze. I love getting there so early that the families who arrive later try (unsuccessfully) to push their kids in front of me. I love the marching bands, the D-list pop singers who can’t lip-sync to their own songs, the people above leaning out their apartment to get eye level with the balloons.  I love the “official” kick-off to the holiday season and the feeling that I am living a scene from Miracle on 34^th Street. 

Now, aside from the finally of Santa’s arrival, an event crescendo that really can’t be rivaled, the number one element I love about the parade is Tom the Turkey.  Yes, this classic float and its corresponding pilgrim costume wearing Macy’s employee escort makes me squeal with childlike glee.  If I had a wish I would not wish to ride Tom the Turkey in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade – no, one wish should be used for ending hunger or poverty, but if I had a second wish I would wish for the best pilgrim costume ever made and a chance to sit atop Tom waving to the world and welcoming the spirit of the season. Until that day I will continue my infatuation with Tom and thank my lucky stars that I was so close to him this year that I can declare myself a float paparazzi and enjoy top ten pick number four. 

Top 10 Pictures of 2013 #5 – Stop Light

Top 10 Pictures of 2013

#5 – Stop Light

I was stopped at a traffic light, I look to my right and I see this…a picture perfect pasture on a early fall day with healthy, happy horses enjoying their lunch.  I am happy to say this picture almost didn’t happen.  It almost didn’t happen because I was too busy enjoying the “live” moment to think to take a picture.  The light turned and I woke up to the fact that I was about to be taken away from this view and I didn’t want to leave.  I didn’t want to leave behind the moment of quiet and beauty and nature. I didn’t want to leave behind the feeling of the sun on my face and the image before me. How long is a traffic stop – 30 seconds maybe? In 30 seconds I fell in love, I fell in love with a dozen horses and my opportunity to appreciate them.  Looking at it now, and why this made my top 10, I am moved by the reminder of just how little time it takes to witness something you don’t ever want to let go of.